Abdominal supporter



Jan. 26, 1943. .LJ. KISPERT ABDOMINAL SIUPPORTER F1 led Aug. 22, 1940 4Sheets-Sheep l INVENT R. Joseph J his 06M Jan. 26, 1943- 'J. J. KISPERTABDOMINAL SUPPORTER Filed Aug. 22, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I HHHHHI IIHHNI M UI II INVENTOR c/ fins 7 ATTORNEYS 1943- J. J. KISPERT ABDOMiNALSUPPORTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 22, 1940 I iNvENToR. (JOSE/1h D J.J. KISPERT ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 22, 1940INYENTORkL J06 e a/v J K/L's UW Y 8M} v Patented Jan. 26, 1943 more!)srr es tires! ()FFICE ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER Joseph J. Kispert, Jackson,Mich, assignor to Kellogg Corset Company, Jackson, Mich.

Application August 22,1940, Serial No. 353,698 T 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in abdominal supporter.

The main objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an improved foundation garment, health belt or corsethaving provisions for most effectively supporting the abdomen of thewearer.

Second, to provide a foundation garment of the side lacing type fullycovering and supporting the front and sides of the figure of the wearerso as to effectively sustain the abdomen without the presence ofunsightly bulges.

Third, to provide a garment of the type described completely coveringand supporting the abdomen and thighs of the wearer, the said garmentbeing devoid of gaps or openings likely to result in unsightly bulgesvisible through the outer garments of the wearer and being effective atall times and in all positions of the wearer in sustaining andflattening the diaphragm of the wearer without discomfort, chafing andthe like.

Fourth, to provide a foundation garment as described above having novelmeans for covering the pelvic arch so as to completely control andsupport the entire hip.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention willappear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in theclaims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of a foundation garment inaccordance with my invention, the belt portion of the garment beingshown in partly open position to indicate the details of structure andarrangement thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the garment illustrated in Fig. 1,showing the side cluster lacing arrangement whereby the front and rearsections of the garment are drawn together and indicating the manner inwhich certain further elastic provisions for augmenting the supportingfunction of the garment are externally concealed, a portion of thecluster lacin arrangement being shown in closed or operative positionand another portion in open or released position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View generally similar to Fig. 2, illustratingthe .parts in released, inoperative position whereby details ofconstruction and relation of the same may be understood, the coaction ofthe elastic connector for the front and side sections and the draw-uplacings being clearly indicated.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating in detail the lacingprovisions for drawing the parts of the garment in operative position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation illustrating the inner frontside of a health belt con structed. in accordance with a modifiedembodiment of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in external side elevation furtherillustrating the details'of the embodiment of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view still further illustrating theconstruction of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view illustrating a garment in accordance witha still further modified embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

One serious objection to most present-day foundation garments resides inthe inadequacy of their provisions for supporting the abdomen of thewearer, which results from the fact that the body and closing membersare drawn to operative position and held in that position by meansacting concentratedly thereon at but a single location on the garment,or at a few widely distributed points, so that the weight of the abdomenis not uniformly sustained or imposes excessive pressure on the holdingmeans, with localized application of force and discomfort due to chafingand the like. Likewise, in such garments, it has gen erally been thecase that gaps or openings are present or that the thighsof the wearerare inadequately covered, causing unsightly bulges. Attempts have beenmade to eliminate this in one manner or another, but in the main havebeen ineffective so far as I am aware. The present garment affords avery effective, widely and uniformly distributed supporting of theabdomen, regardless of the wearers position, a continuous coverage ofthe thighs and abdomen in the interests of comfort, and the productionof a flat Princess line, unmarred by bulges.

In Figs. 1 to l, inclusive, I illustrate a desirable adaptation of theinvention in a health belt, generally designated by the referencenumeral I. The belt comprises a rear portion or section 3, side sections4 continuously connected or stitched thereto, and composite auxiliaryside and front sections 5. All the various sections are provided withstays in conventional manner, as indicated by the reference numeral 6.Elastic inserts I may be provided, also in accordance with conventionalpractice. The free forward edges of sections 5 have coacting hook andeye means 8 for initially securing the garment about the wearers body.It will be appreciated that other means, for example,

provided with a row of eyelets I2 at their forward extremities which lieadjacent and in opposed relation to the row of eyelets II. The side andauxiliary sections 4, 5 respectively are connected together by a closedelastic connector lacing I3 threaded through the eyelets I I and I2, asclearly illustrated in Fig. 1, to thereby resiliently hold the saidsections in connected relation while yieldably supporting the abdomen ofthe wearer.

Each rowof eyelets .has flexible stays I4 disposed.

on either side'thereof and'stitched or otherwise suitably secured totheirespective side and auxiliary front sections.

Panels 9 of the auxiliary: sections'5 extend externally of and inconcealingrelation to the elas tic. connector, rearwardly overlappingside sections 4' a substantial amount, andthe said panels,

adjacent the rear thereof, are each'provided with a row of eyelets I5(see-Figs. 1 and 2). This row has stays stitched or otherwisesuitablysecured oneither side thereof similar to'stays 14. Adjacent themeeting point of the'respective side sections 4 and rear section 3, andto the rear'of the.

rear edge of panels 9, I provide a further similarly stayed row ofeyelets I6 (see Fig.2) on a forwardly extending flap I I stitched tosaid sections. The rows'of eyelets I5, I 6 are in adjacent opposedrelation.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be'noted that the side. sections l havefixedlyattached to th forward edges thereof a pair of flexible'tapes I8,one in a position approximately over the abdomen of the: wearer and theother in'position over the dia phragm. These tapes are rove throughadjacent eyelets II in the fiap I on auxiliary section then rearwardlyinternally of the garment through eyelets I6and' attached to flexiblebelt or strap sections I9-having buckles attached thereto. The belts'arealso secured to the ends. of two sets of cluster lacing 2| rove throughthe. opposed eyelets l5, I6; BucklesZO coact with further belts 22stitched to the external panels 9 at an intermediate point thereon,whereby the tapes I8 and cluster laces may be drawn up upon:

tightening of the belts. Thus, the elastic connectors I3 aresupplemented by tapes I8 in their action of drawing; the rear flapIll-and side sections together at the forward edges of the latter, andthis occurssimultaneously with the action of the cluster lacing inbringing the panels 9into supporting relation to the abdomen of thewearer. The weight of the abdomen'is very uniformly distributedandsustained by'a-plurality of supports and at a number'of points or zones.

Icontemplate that belts 22-will be provided of such extreme length thatthe ends thereof may be cut down by the wearer to the proper length forthe wearer. Each of the auxiliary section panelsB is provided with apocket 23 into which the shortened end of the belt may be introduced soas to conceal the same and prevent the formation-ofa bump or. bulge. Thecluster lacing 2! extends for a substantial distance vertically oneither side ofthe' garment and serves to draw the front of the garmentuniformly into continuous supporting relation to the abdomen. As stated,the respective abdomen and diaphragm tapes are drawn up concurrentlywith tensioning of the cluster lacing against the support at thesepoints, and the elastic connection I3 between the auxiliary flap 9 andside section keeps this support a yielding one so that no discomfortwill be experienced by the wearer.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the auxiliaryside and front sections 5 serve effectively as shields externallycovering a goodly portion of the lacing provisions, namely, the rows ofeyelets II, I2 and closed elastic lacing associated therewith, wherebythis structure, notwithstanding its highly beneficial functioning, doesnot contribute an ugly, bulky appearance and provides a desirably smoothfoundation for outer garments.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 24 designates a web orband of elastic material of approximately five inches vertical widthstitched at one side to the extreme forward edge of one of the sidesections 4 and adapted to be secured'to a flap 25 stitched on theextreme forward edge of the oth r side section, hook and eye provisions26 being preferably utilized for this purpose. The material of band 24is preferably elastic in both directions, and it serves to completelycover the pelvic arch. All belts now on the market terminate asubstantial distance above this point, but with band of two-way stretchmaterial the stays of the corset may be regulated in length inaccordance with the physical stretch of the wearer, thereby enablingcomfort to be had in sitting or all positions, while still givingcomplete control of the hips, thighs, and abdomen. It will be noted inFig. 1 that the foundation garment illustrated affords complete coverageof the wearers body at all these points, so that bulges are'eliminated.All the internal lacing is covered completely without using specialshielding provisions, since, as stated, the auxiliary side and frontsection 5 has this function in addition to augmenting and distributingthe supporting action of the garment in the manner described.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, I illustrate a slightly modifled embodiment of theforegoing invention, wherein the inner flap of the auxiliary side andfront member, which member is here designated by the reference numeral2-7, is drawn toward the side member 28 of the garment by the closedelastic lacing 29, the auxiliary section 2'! rearwardly and externallyoverlapping section 28, as described. in connection with said precedingembodiment. The relatively Wideribbon-like tapes 39, one above theabdomen and the other above the diaphragm, are secured to side section28 and laced through eyelets of the auxiliary and rear section andsecured to belt takeup means 3| in the manner described above. Thisstructure is. characterized by all the advantages described inconnection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. Fig. 5clearly illustrates the arrangement and advantages of the pelvic band 24described in connection with those figures.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I illustrate a still further adaptation of theinvention. In this form, the auxiliary and side sections 32, 33respectively are held in position and manually adjusted by pairs ofelastic tapes 34 rove through the eyelets in the forward edge of theside section 33 and the rearwardly extending flap 35 of the auxiliarysection. These tapes extend rearwardly and are secured to the buckle I6by which the cluster lacing 31, generally similar to that of theforegoing embodiments, is tensloned. Pockets 38 in the auxiliary sectionreceive the ends of the belt 39 to conceal the same and avoidprojections, in the manner described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4.

The embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 also includes novel structure forassociating hose supporting members on the garment, in the form oflooped flexible elastic tapes or bands 49 having an adjusting element4|, one end of the tapes being secured to the bottom of the externalpanel of the auxiliary section panel 32 and the other end to the bottomforward corner of the side section 33.

In all the foregoing embodiments, the weight of the abdomen is dividedand distributed to a plurality of supports each disposed in the mosteffective manner to sustain its share. The result is increased comfortfor the wearer, with no possibility of chafing or irritation due tounduly localized action. The elastic connector employed is relieved ofthe duty of supporting the entire abdominal weight, but functionseffectively as a yielding sustaining member whereby sub,- stantialsupport is afforded for the abdomen at all times whether standing,sitting, or changing from one of these positions to the other.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments whichare very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe otherembodiments or adaptations as it is be lieved this disclosure willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements asmay be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with said side sections, comprisingpanels extending to meeting relation at the front of the garment andflaps stitched to said panels adjacent the forward edge thereof anddisposed internally of the panels, said panels having coacting securingmeans at said meeting edges and extending rearwardly in externaloverlapping relation to said side sections, coacting opposed rows ofeyelets on the rear edge of said flaps and on said side sectionsadjacent the front thereof, closed elastic connectors interlaced withsaid rows to elastically maintain said auxiliary and side sectionstogether adjacent the front of the latter, further coacting opposed rowsof eyelets on the rear of said panels and adjacent the rear of said sidesections, sets of cluster lacing rove through said further rows to drawthe rear edge of said auxiliary sections rearwardly of said sidesections, belt and buckle means secured to said cluster lacings and tosaid panels for tensioning the lacings, said panels having pockets toreceive the belt of said last named means to conceal the same, and pairsof vertically spaced tapes disposed over the abdomen and over thediaphragm, said tapes being stitched to the forward edge of said sidesections, rove through eyelets in the row in said flap, thencerearwardly through eyelets in the further row on said side sections, andsecured to said belt and buckle tensioning means, whereby the action ofsaid elastic connectors is augmented simultaneously with the tensioningof said cluster lacing, said panels externally coveringand concealingsaid connectors and preventing gaps in the garment whereby bumps andbulging are eliminated when the garment is worn.

2. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with said side sections, comprisingpanels extending to meeting relation at the front of the garment andflaps stitched to said panels adjacent the forward edge thereof anddisposed internally of the panels, said panels having coacting securingmeans at said meeting edges and extending rearwardly in externaloverlapping relation to said side sections, coacting opposed rows ofeyelets on said flaps and on said side sections adjacent the frontthereof, closed elastic connectors interlaced with said rows toelastically maintain said auxiliary and side sections together adjacentthe front of the latter, further coacting opposed rows of eyelets on therear of said panels and adjacent the rear of said side sections, sets ofcluster lacing rove through said further rows to draw the rear edge ofsaid auxiliary sections rearwardly of said side sections, means securedto said cluster lacings and to said panels for tensioning the lacings,and pairs of vertically spaced tapes disposed over the abdomen and overthe diaphragm, coacting with said first named rows of eyelets, andsecured to said tensioning means, whereby the action of said elasticconnectors is augmented simultaneously with the tensioning of saidcluster lacing, said panels externally covering and concealing saidconnectors and preventing gaps in the garment whereby bumps and bulgingare eliminated when the garment is worn.

3. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of saidside sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with said side sections, comprisingpanels extending to meeting relation at the front of the garment, saidpanels having coacting securing means at said meeting edges andextending rearwardly in external overlapping relation to said sidesections, coacting opposed rows of eyelets on said panels and on saidside sections adjacent the front thereof, elastic means interlaced withsaid rows to elastically maintain said auxiliary and side sectionstogether adjacent the front of the latter, further coacting opposed rowsof eyelets on the rear of said panels and adjacent the rear of said sidesections, sets of cluster lacing rove through said further rows to drawthe rear edge of said auxiliary sections rearwardly of said sidesections, means secured to said cluster lacings and to said panels fortensioning the lacings,

and pairs of vertically spaced tapes disposed over the abdomen and overthe diaphragm, coacting with said first named rows of eyelets, andsecured to said tensioning means, whereby the action of said elasticmeans is augmented simultaneously with the tensioning of said clusterlacing, said panels externally covering and concealing said elasticmeans and preventing gaps in the garment whereby bumps and bulging areeliminated when the garment is worn.

4. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the Wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with said side sections, comprisingpanels extending to meeting relation at the front of the garment, saidpanels having coacting securing means at said meeting edges andextending rearwardly in external overlapping relation to said sidesections, elastic means to elastically maintain said auxiliary and sidesections together adjacent the front of the latter, coacting opposedrows of eyelets on the rear of said panels and adjacent the rear of saidside sections, sets of cluster lacing rove through said rows to draw therear edge of said auxiliary sections rearwardly of said side sections,means secured to said cluster lacings and to said panels for tensioningthe lacings, and pairs of vertically spaced tapes connected to saidpanels and side sections and secured to said tensioning means, wherebythe action of said elastic means is augmented simultaneously with thetensioning of said cluster lacing, said panels externally covering andconcealing said elastic means and preventing gaps in the garment wherebybumps and bulging are eliminated when the garment is worn.

5. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with each of said side sectionscomprising panels extending to meeting relation at the front of thegarment and adapted to be secured together in that relation, said panelsextending rearwardly in external overlapping relation to said sidesections, coacting opposed rows of eyelets adjacent the front of saidpanels and on said side sections adjacent the front thereof, closedelastic connectors interlaced with said rows to elastically maintainsaid auxiliary and side sections together adjacent the front of thelatter, further coacting opposed rows of eyelets on the rear of saidpanels and adjacent the rear of said side sections, lacing rove throughsaid further rows to draw the rear edge of said auxiliary sections up tosaid side sections, means secured to said lacing and to said panels fortensioning the lacing, and tapes stitched to the forward edge of saidside sections, rove through eyelets in the front row in said panel,thence rearwardly through eyelets in said further row on said side 1sections, and secured to said tensioning means, whereby the action ofsaid elastic connectors is augmented simultaneously with the tensioningof said lacing, said panels externally covering and concealing saidconnectors and preventing gaps in the garment whereby bumps and bulgingare eliminated when the garment is worn.

6. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with each of said side sectionscomprising panels extending to meeting relation at the front of thegarment and adapted to be secured together in that relation, said panelsextending rearwardly in external overlapping relation to said sidesections, coacting opposed rows of eyelets adjacent the front of saidpanels and on said side sect-ions adjacent the front thereof, closedelastic connectors interlaced with said rows to elastically maintainsaid auxiliary and side sections together adjacent the front of thelatter, further coacting opposed rows of eyelets on the rear of saidpanels and adjacent the rear of said side sections, lacing rove throughsaid further rows to draw the rear edge of said auxiliary sections up tosaid side sections, and means secured to said lacing and to said panelsfor tensioning the lacing, said panels externally covering andconcealing said connectors and preventing gaps in the garment wherebybumps and bulging are eliminated when the garment is worn.

7. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side bodyenclosing sections, there being a pair of said side sections extendingforwardly of the rear section into encircling relation to the wearersbody, auxiliary sections coacting with each of said side sectionscomprising panels extending to meeting relation at the front of thegarment and adapted to be secured together in that relation, said panelsextending rearwardly in external overlapping relation to said sidesections, coacting opposed rows of eyelets adjacent the front of saidpanels and on said side sections adjacent the front thereof, elasticconnectors interlaced with said rows to elastically maintain saidauxiliary and side sections together adjacent the front of the latter,further coacting opposed rows of eyelets on the rear of said panels andadjacent the rear of said side sections, lacing rove through saidfurther rows to draw the rear edge of said auxiliary sections up to saidside sections, and means secured to said lacing and to said panels fortensioning the lacing, said connectors being secured to said tensioningmeans for actuation simultaneously with said lacing, said panelsexternally covering and concealing said connectors and preventing gapsin the garment whereby bumps and bulging are eliminated when the garmentis worn.

8. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, panels disposed at the endsof but separate from said side sections and extending to meetingrelation to one another and adapted to be secured to one another at thefree edges thereof, said panels each including a body covering panelsubstantially overlapping the ends of the first named section on whichit is disposed externally of the same whereby gaps are eliminated,elastic means associated with the forward edges of said side sectionsand said panels to draw the former toward the free edges of the latter,cluster lacing interconnecting the rear edges of said panels and saidside sections at a point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forwardedge of the latter, tape means disposed over the abdomen and over thediaphragm and adjustably connecting the panels and side sectionsadjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof, belttensioning means connected to said panels and to said cluster lacing andtape means for simultaneously actuating the same, said panels havingpockets to receive and conceal the ends of said belt tensioning means,and elastic webbing of substantial width connected to one of said sidesections and adapted to be connected to the other, said webbing coveringthe pelvic arch of the wearer and completing the coverage and supportafforded by said garment.

9. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, panels disposed at the endsof but separate from said side sections and extending to meetingrelation to one another and adapted to be secured to one another at thefree edges thereof, said panels each including a body covering panelsubstantially overlapping the ends of the firstnamed section on which itis disposed externally of the same whereby gaps are eliminated, elasticmeans associated with the forward edges of said side sections and saidpanels to draw the former toward the free edges of the latter, clusterlacing interconnecting the rear edges of said panels and said sidesections at a point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forward edgeof the latter, tape means disposed over the abdomen and over thediaphragm and adjustably connecting the panels and side sectionsadjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof, belttensioning means connected to said panels and to said cluster lacing andtape means for simultaneously actuating the same, and elastic webbing ofsubstantial width connected to one of said side sections and adapted tobe connected to the other, said webbing covering the pelvic arch of thewearer and completing the coverage and support afforded by said garment.

0. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, panels disposed at the endsof but separate from said side sections and extending to meetingrelation to one another and adapted to be secured to one another at thefree edges thereof, said panels each including a body covering panelsubstantially overlapping the ends of the first named section on whichit is disposed externally of the same whereby gaps are eliminated,elastic means associated with the forward edges of said side sectionsand said panels to draw the former toward the free edges of the latter,means interconnecting the rear edges of said panels and said sidesections at a point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forward edgeofthe latter, tape means adjustably connecting the panels and sidesections adjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof,belt tensioning means connected to said panels and to saidinterconnecting and tape means for simultaneously actuating the same,and elastic webbing of substantial width connected to one of said sidesections and adapted to be connected to the other, said webbing coveringthe pelvic arch of the wearer and completing the coverage and supportafforded by said garment.

11. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, panels disposed at the endsof but separate from said side sections and extending to meetingrelation to one another and adapted to be secured to one another at thefree edges thereof, said panels each including a body covering panelsubstantially overlapping the ends of the first named section on whichit is disposed externally of the same whereby gaps are eliminated,elastic means associated with the forward edges of said side sectionsand said panels to draw the former toward the free edges of the latter,cluster lacing interconnecting the rear edges of said panels and saidside sections at a point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forwardedge of the latter, tape means disposed over the abdomen and over thediaphragm and adjustably connecting the panels and side sectionsadjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof, and belttensioning means connected to said panels and to said cluster lacing andtape means for simultaneously actuating the same, said panels havingpockets to receive and conceal the ends of said belt tens1on1ng means.

12. A foundation garment comprising conneded rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, further sections disposed atthe ends of said section and extending to meeting relation to oneanother and adapted to be secured to one another at the free edgesthereof, said further panel sections each including a body coveringpanel substantially overlapping the ends of the first named section onwhich it is disposed externally of the same, elastic means associatedwith the forward edges of said side sections and said panel sections todraw the former toward the free edges of the latter, cluster lacinginter connecting the rear edges of said panels and said side sections ata point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forward edge of thelatter, tape means adjustably connecting the panels and side sectionsadjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof, and belttensioning means connected to said panels and to said cluster lacing andtape means for simultaneously actuating the same, said panels havingpockets to receive and conceal the ends of said belt ten- SlOl'llIlgmeans.

13. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, further sections disposed atthe ends of said section and extending to meeting relation to oneanother and adapted to be secured to one another at the free edgesthereof, said further panel sections each including a body coveringpanel substantially overlapping the ends of the first named section onwhich it is disposed externally of the same, elastic means associatedwith the forward edges of said side sections and said panel sections todraw the former toward the free edges of the latter, cluster lacinginterconnecting the rear edges of said panels and said side sections ata point spaced substantially rearwardly of the forward edge of thelatter, tape means adjustably connecting the panels and side sectionsadjacent the elastic means to supplement the action thereof, and belttensioning means connected to said panels and to said cluster lacing andtape means for simultaneously actuating the same.

14. A foundation garment comprising connected rear and side sectionspartially enclosing the body of the wearer, further sections disp sed atthe ends of said section and extending to meeting relation to oneanother and adapted to be secured to one another at the free edgesthereof, said further panel sections each including a body coveringpanel substantially overlapping the ends.

of the first named section on which it is disposed externally of thesame, elastic means associated with the forward edges of said sidesections and said panel sections to draw the former toward the freeedges of the latter, cluster lacing interconnecting the rear edges ofsaid panels and said side sections at a point spaced substantiallyrearwardly of the forward edge of the latter, and belt tensioning meansconnected to said panels and to said cluster lacing for actuating thesame.

JOSEPH J. KISPERT.

